Do tell?
Chris, I've had things anodized over the years (motorcycle parts and guns, mainly), and I haven't ever been satisfied because it's never been as good as a production piece. I would guess there's a trick to anodizing things, and when you do the same part over and over, you figure it out and get good, consistent results, but when you're anodizing a single part, you only get one shot at the parameters...
That’s interesting. I’ve had so many things anodized over the years I can’t keep track. I’ve never been disappointed and always felt that it was just as good as anything I’ve ever bought that came anodized the color I wanted it. I suppose it boils down to whoever is doing the work.
It would be rare based on our experience to find anyone other than the shop they use that can do UV stable black that doesn't fade.
I was curious about that since I’ve seen many black anodized pieces fade due to UV rays. I wasn’t sure if there was such thing as UV stable anodizing, but it sounds like there is such a thing.
Interesting. Their site doesn’t accept backorders, and I’ve noticed there are several retailers that drop ship their stuff and will take an order now. Can you recommend someone I might be able to order from now in order to “get in line?”
Take a look at the Savvy black tail lights some time. I don't know of any that have ever faded or changed color. Same company does both.
That’s why those things always look so new. I’ve seen some black anodized parts that just look terrible after sitting in the sun.
They have tried many other companies, we've tried a few. We always have issues with the other so we go back to the one that always gets it right.
The color change seems to be related to how they mix the color. I've seen the purple, reddish, brown, and green over time.The problems I've had with custom anodizing are fading, uneven application resulting in a mottled look, and color changes. The color changes have even occurred in production parts. Black, mil-spec Type III hard anodizing seems to change to having a purple tint to it over time. Not cool when your black rifle is now a purple rifle
Guys, thanks for responding! I've placed an order for a black fairlead through a drop-shipper, hoping to now "be in line" for one of the ones Mr. Blaine mentioned above. We'll see...
It ain't dumb if it works.As seems to be the norm, @mrblaine was spot on and gave me great advice. I noticed on Monday that TRE suddenly had them in stock again, and I just got notification that the big brown truck will be dropping mine off tomorrow! All I need to do is install that, put the rope on the winch and wire it up, and my front bumper assembly is complete!
Thanks, Mr. Blaine! You know, for the forum a-hole, you sure are a helpful feller! You can call me a dumbass all you want - I have thick skin!
sab
That is a thing of beauty!